DALLAS — The long-awaited community park at Fair Park in South Dallas is expected to begin construction in 2025, according to Fair Park First, the nonprofit that manages Fair Park.
Fair Park First leaders told the Dallas Park and Recreation Board that about $30 million of the $39.1 million needed for the 10-plus-acre park has been secured via public and private donations. Officials said they’ll need to raise about $9.5 million to complete the park and expect to be able to raise it in the next 12 to 18 months.
Fair Park First board president Veletta Forsythe Lill said while the size of the park is down from the 18 acres initially proposed, it's still double the original size of Klyde Warren Park.
Construction is expected to begin in the spring or summer of 2025 and the work is expected to take about a year with a ribbon cutting expected in the winter of 2026, officials say. Construction crews will work around the State Fair of Texas and other major events.
“As you guys know we’ve been talking about parks and doing something and revitalizing Fair Park, our city’s jewel, for a long time now, and it’s time to get it right and get this done,” Fair Park First vice chair Jason Brown said.
The park will be located just to the east of Dos Equis Pavilion in an area bounded by Fitzhugh Avenue to the south, Lagow Street to the east, Exposition Avenue to the west and Pennsylvania Avenue to the north.
The park, which is years in the making, was originally proposed to be 18 acres, cost more than $65 million, and include an outdoor performance stage and parking garage. Among the changes in the park’s design is that it doesn’t include a parking garage.
New designs show the park includes three playgrounds, a community stage, a dog park, picnic areas, 60 parking spaces dedicated to community park visitors, and more.
“The community, when we brought forth a parking garage, was not accepting,” Lill said.
Brown said he grew up in South Dallas and described the significance of the park to the community.
“I’ve seen all the different evolutions of Fair Park, what’s happened in our community,” he said. “I’m excited to be back and be a part of the work and further our commitment to seeing this.”
The new developments on the long-promised community park come after Fair Park First said earlier this year that a report found $5.7 million in donor funds restricted to specific projects. However, there are no allegations that money was stolen or spent outside the park boundaries.